MEADE - What is the difference between ..

[prova]

just curious to know what the difference is between including pluses and minuses of the following two scopes -

Meade LX200R 12"

and

Meade LX90GPS 12"

[AndrewJ]

What do you want to do with it ??

The LX200 uses a different CPU controller with much more functionality including permanent PEC, bigger databases, better means of remote guiding.
It also has a better mount and (mostly) better gears motors,
but also costs a lot more.
The LX90 does have PEC now, but only on RA and if you dont park correctly you lose it.
The LX200 has much stronger forks and drive motors, hence is more stable, but is also much heavier.
The LX200 has a mirror lock, the LX90 doesnt.
The classic 8" LX90 has proved to be pretty bulletproof as an optical instrument, but several reports from users say the 12" OTA is pushing it stability wise for the mount for photography.
Again, whats your priority for use???

Andrew

[coldspace]

LX2ooR has coma free optics and 15% larger field of view. Mainly good for imaging but I love it for visual as the views through it are very nice,flat and sharp all the way out to the edge of view. Almost like a 12 inch refractor. Planets are breathtaking through this scope especially the 12 inch or larger. The mount is alot beefer and sturdier than the LX 90 so is alot more stable for imaging. Has Periodic error correction in the drives for longer exposure imaging and a much better control pad, but the OTA fork arms are very heavy for 12 inch at around 34 kgs so make sure you can handle this if you want portability. I put the Peterson mounting assistant plate and get-a-grip handles and I move my 12 inch around by myself no problem but make sure you can lift that weight otherwise go for the 10 inch. I looked at getting the lx90 but decided against as I want to use my scope for all types of things. I don't think you can do better than the LX200r or now LX200 ACF for an all purpose scope. 12 inch,I love it. The Lx90 would be good for visual or basic imaging but I have heard that it is alot less stable at 12 inch size than the LX200. They are bringing out the Lx90 in the ACF optics now. But the lx200 is alot dearer than the lx90 but if you can afford the extra you will be happy.

Matt

[g__day]

Short answer - I'd say the LX200R is significantly more expensive because it:

1) uses much better gears to move the OTA - so point and more importantly tracking for astrophotograhy is also (3x) better

2) The R stands for RC optics - not really - but a better optical design that gives flatter fields and sharper optics - again great for astrophotography.